API Testing -- Did you come across these questions?

Do you test API? What tools you use to test API? Hey, you also test the REST APIs? Automate and run the suite that is sufficient to APIs, isn't it? Have you asked any of these questions? Other person have asked you any of these questions? Or, you heard such conversations?

I will share my learning what I'm making by testing the APIs. Use the label "APIs"in this blog for finding related posts to it.

When I hear above said question, the first question that I ask is, "What do you want to accomplish and know by testing the APIs which you are talking about?".  I see no response coming back most times. Yes, we all use APIs! And, we will continue to use! What is that I want to know from testing the APIs?  How do I test? Why at all I have to test for APIs?

I got notification on my mobile phone from the app I have installed?  The APIs helped to receive that notification.  Did I see the stock market's number updating on my desktop or mobile app? That was with the help of APIs. Do I see anyone monitoring the health and fitness with the wearable device and then transferring that data to mobile or desktop? That happened with help of the API.

In the next post, I will be writing the below mentioned.

• What is an API ?
• The types of API
• REST architectural design for the Web

IME Test Model - RICH VIP MUST PLUG AND HE PUTS LOCK

I was approached by my fellow Software Testing practitioners - Shristy and Suchismita for knowing and to have better structure for testing the IME - Input Method Editor.  On listening to their context of current practice and what they wanted to know by testing, I learned for first they need the essential design components of today's IME.

I had to make sure that, this learning is fair enough to start and from here they can assist themselves. On brainstorming together for few minutes, we learned, it is good for a start to have the key integral design components of IME. Have this, the testing can be channeled well in those areas as and how the context demands on priority.

Now we had listed down the IME design components fairly sufficing to start. What are the tests to be done on the app under the IME design components? It depends on the context of testing.  The testers here were able to identify the tests based on the context needs. But the challenge for them was -- knowing how to approach and categorize the IME app.  Now it is addressed with this IME Test Model, tester can help quickly to visualize and pick up the tests under the hood of respective design component of IME.

Credits are for Shristy and Suchismita for pairing up with me and in framing the mnemonic of this Test Model and categorization of it.  This can be referred and used for Android IME and iOS IME apps testing.